Charles Masson Fox

Charles Masson Fox (9 November 1866 – 11 October 1935) was a Cornish businessman who achieved international prominence in the world of chess problems and a place in the homosexual history of Edwardian England.

Masson Fox was born into a Quaker family (although he was not related to the Quakers' founder George Fox) and was second cousin once removed of the fraudulent sinologist Sir Edmund Backhouse, 2nd Baronet.

Fox is described by chess historian Thomas Rayner Dawson (1889–1951) as "a friendly man, kind, mellow, lovable, bringing peace and comfort and serene joy with him".

[1] However, Fox was profoundly affected by the publicity surrounding the case, which was reported in detail in the local press.

The predictable result of his courageous action was the destruction of his reputation, and the compromise of his business and social life in Falmouth.